Three junta soldiers were killed and at least five others including a civilian, injured in a drone strike on the opening of Gyaing (Kawkareik) bridge connecting Hpa-An and Kawkareik, with the attendance of the military-appointed Karen State Chief Minister Saw Myint Oo, according to the Mon Liberation Army (MLA).
The attack was carried out by the Spring UAV Force – G3 Fixed-Wing drone unit under the MLA, using three drone bombs at around 5 am and 8 am on 9 March.
According to the statement, due to jammers installed at Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-543, LIB-546, and the strategic hill camp, the drone bombs dropped during the opening ceremony went off course and struck a shopkeeper near the primary school under the old bridge.
An official from the administrative body said, “Two drone bombs landed in the Gyaing pre-school on the opening day of the bridge. Six villagers were injured, but their conditions are not critical. They are being treated at Kyonedoe hospital. Another bomb landed on the Japanese site, but no one was injured. Around 20 junta soldiers are hiding in Gyaing village and the school in Thayettaw village.”
When seeking confirmation from the MLA and relevant resistance forces due to conflicting statements regarding the incident where people were injured, the spokesperson of the MLA said: “One civilian was injured. We are very sorry for this. The remaining casualties are soldiers on the bridge.”
The MLA advised the public to stay away from festivals and ceremonies organized by the military council.
According to the Roads and Bridges Department under the military council, the new bridge was built using Japanese technology at a cost of over 6 billion yen and spans nearly 2,000 feet in length.
The opening ceremony of the bridge was attended by Karen State Chief Minister Saw Myint Oo, the Ministers for Construction, Road Transportation, and the Judicial Department, as well as the Deputy Commander of the Southeast Command, who all participated in the ribbon-cutting.
Sent by KIC